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Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer reach French Open fourth round

Associated Press

Posted:
05/30/2014 10:56:21 AM PDT

Updated:
05/30/2014 10:56:22 AM PDT

PARIS -- Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer both needed four sets to reach the fourth round of the French Open on Friday, while Agnieszka Radwanska's third-round defeat means the top three seeded women have all been eliminated in the first week.

The second-seeded Djokovic looked sluggish at times but beat Marin Cilic 6-3, 6-2, 6-7 (2), 6-4, improving to 9-0 in their head-to-head meetings.

Federer, meanwhile, was in total control before wasting four set points in the second set on his way to a 7-5, 6-7 (7), 6-2, 6-4 win against Dmitry Tursunov.

"I'm pleased I found a way and played it solid and tough toward the very end," Federer said. "When somebody serves big like he does, it's sometimes a bit difficult."

Sharapova won the title at Roland Garros in 2012 -- something Djokovic has never done. The Serb lost to eight-time champion Rafael Nadal in the semifinals last year.

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Djokovic dropped serve early on Friday to trail 3-1, made sloppy unforced errors in the tiebreaker, and was broken back in the fourth set after leading 4-2. He sealed the victory on his first match point when the 25th-seeded Croat double-faulted.

"Physically I had to work very hard, because he was very aggressive," Djokovic said. "First two sets and beginning of the third I had some chances to break him and get the job done in straight sets, but he started playing a little bit better."

Tursunov was trailing 0-40 in the 12th game and 7-6 down in the tiebreaker, but went on to level the match with a forehand pass down the line.

"I wish at times I could have played a bit more offensive," said Federer, who won the French Open in 2009.

Shortly after winning the second-set tiebreaker, Tursunov appeared to have a minor meltdown while trailing 2-1 in the third. He argued with the chair umpire and took a medical timeout to treat a sore groin. Federer next plays No. 18 Ernests Gulbis of Latvia, who beat Radek Stepanek 6-3, 6-2, 7-5.